Variable speed torpedo



June 2, 1936.

J. H. HAMMOND, JR Y -2,042,987 vARIABLE SPEED TORPEDO Original Filed April 6, 1929 7 Sheets-Sheet l LNIMN l f l f INVENToR. f afd J /Yd'zm ATTORNEY- Jne 2, 1936.

J. H. HAMMOND, JR

VARIABLE SPEED ToEPEDo original'Filed-April'e, 1929 7 sheets-sheet 2 INVENTOR. .s Ham ...1,1. D, 711. M yA TTORNEY I im@ 2 i935 J. H.- HAMMQND, .m I 29942;@37

VARIABLE SPEED TORPEDO Origina Filed April 6,1929 v' '7' Shets-Sheet 3 June 2 1935' J. H. HAMMOND'. JR 2,042,987

VARIABLE SPEED TOREEDO Original File'd April 6, 1929 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 v INVENToR. Jaim 1% .5 f4/rimani J/f ATTORNEY Julie 2,1936.

J. H..HAMMYoND, JR 2,042,987 VARIABLE SPEED TRPEDO 4original Filed April e, '1929 7 sheets-sheet 5 .azav IN VEN TOR.l

A ORNEY June 2, 1936. J. H. HAMMoND. JR v 2,042,987

I VARIABLE SPEED TORPEDO Original Filed April 6L 1929 '7 Sheets-Sheet 6 4&7 4M@ 471 Ewa Wl 432 v 4,5% l u V' 4 llm# '42% f5;

' JNVENTOR. n Jaim Hays Hammond, Ji.'

zas/MWL M A TTORNEY VARIABLE SPEED TORPEDO original File'd April e, 1929 7 sheets-sheet 'r Tig-fy BVM A TTORNEY Patented June 2, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT ori-ics John llmlol Mass.

Appiicaiion Api-ii s, 1929, suini No. 353.005

Renewed April 9, 1932 Z8 Claims. (Cl. 114-21) This invention relates to the control of selfpropelled moving bodies, and more particularly to a new and improved means for controlling the l action of a torpedo. l l

The invention provides a control device which becomes. effective when the torpedo misses its objective and operates to redirect the torpedo for producing a hit. For this purpose the antenna which is commonly employed for controlling a l0 torpedo by wireless is used as a redirecting means and is adapted when under the inuence of an. external mass of magnetic material, such as a ships hull, to modify. the movement of the torpedo.

In the case of a directl strike, the redirecting` antenna is obviously unnecessary. In case the torpedo misses the target, the trailing antenna will come under the influence ofthe. ships hull and cause the torpedo to turnabout and strike the ship from the opposite side. The angle through which the torpedo must be turned may be predetermined from a knowledge of the speed of the ship and the speed of the torpedo, and means is provided formanually setting the apparatus to this anglebefore the torpedo is med.

The apparatus is also set to 'turn the torpedo either to the righi or to the' left according to the direction of movement of the target.

The invention further provides means con-l trolled ironia distance to render the trailing antenna eiective. for the above mentioned lpur-f pose, after the torpedo nearsits objective. The antenna may consequently be used for wireless control until the torpedo approaches the enemy ships, and may then be transferred -to the re'.

directing mechanism, thereby rendering a hit practically certain.

A variable speed mechanism is also provided for changing the speed of the torpedo for a pre-i determined period whereby it may vbe advanced or retarded with respect to the other torpedoes of the salvo. The variable speed mechanism may be operated by remote control from the trailing antenna.

The invention also consists in certain new and original features of construction and combinations of parts, hereinafter set forth and claimed.

Although the novel features which are believed i to be characteristic of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims appended hereto, the invention itself, as to its objects and advantages, the mode of its operation andthe manner of its organization. may be better understood by referring to the following description taken in mechanism of Fig. 1;

connection with the accompanying drawings' forming a part thereof, in which Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic sectional view of a portion of a torpedo embodying features of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a detail view of a portion of Fig. 1; s Fig. 3 is a detail view ofpart of the apparatus of Fis; 2: f Y

Fig. 4 is a section taken on line 4`4"of Fig. 1;" Y Fig. 5'is a section taken on line 5-5 of Fis. 6; 10 Fig.`6 is a section taken on line .6-6 of Fig.` 2; Fig. 'l is a section taken online-11 of Fig. 2; Fig. 8 is a section taken online 8-8 of Fig. 2; Fig. 9 is a top plan view pf the stabilizing Fig. 10 is a. side elevation partly in section of .the stabilizing mechanism Fig. 11 is a sectional view taken on line Il-Ii of Fig. 10;

Fig 12 is a. section taken on line IZ-II of 2q Fig. 10;, l

Fig. 13 is a partial diagrammatic illustration of the control apparatus ofthe torpedo;

Fig. 14 is a section taken on line il--M of 'Fig. 13; 2l

Fig.l 15 is' a side elevation partly in section of the antenna cut of! device;

Fig. 16 is a diagrammatic illustration of one form of balance used to control the course of the torpedo; 34

Fig.'"17 isa diagrammatic illustration of lanother 'form of balance used to control the torpedo;

Fig. 18 is a section taken on line |8i8 of Fig. 8 when the valve has been turned to the other operative position; l 3` Fig. 19- diagrammatically illustrates the' course o! the torpedo after engagement of the antenna with the target;

Fig. 20 shows a battle line of ships being attacked-by self-propelled bodies embodying fea- 4 tures of the present'invention; and

Fig. 21 is similar to Fig. 20 with a different formation of the attacking torpedoes.

Like reference characters denote like parts in the several figures of the drawings. 4

In the following description and in the claims parts will be identified by speclc names for convenience, but they are intended to be asgeneric in their-application to similar parts as the art will permit. E

Referring to. Fig. 1, there is shown a water borne body forming a carrier of explosives, hav-1 ing a water-tight torpedo hull Ill, and arranged to be propelled by a pair of propellers Il, Il. The propellers Il are mounted on a pair of conl centric shafts, including an outer shaft I2, and an inner shaft |4. directly connected to a driving means |5. The

` driving means I5 preferably takes the form of a conventional compressed air turbine, the actuating fluid being delivered thereto through reducing valve V, retarding mechanism R and pipe I6. A gear I1 is keyed to the outer shaft I2 Afor operative engagement with gears I8 and I9 to cause rotation of shafts 2|) and 22, aswill hereinafterV For varying the direction of movement of the torpedo about a vertical axis so as to steer the .torpedo in azimuth, there is provided a'pair ofv blade rudders 39 pivtally mounted upon a pair of rotatable vertical rudder posts 3|, whereby the rudders 3|) can be moved relative to the torpedo to control the direction of movement thereof. The rudder posts 3| are shown rigidly connected by a yoke 32 (see Fig. 4) which may be shifted according to requirements by a .connectf' ing rod 33 having one end pivotally connected thereto. The other end of the connecting rod 33 is pivotally secured to a piston rod- 34 of a piston35 which is mounted for reciprocating.

movement in a cylinder 36. vAdjacent the ends of the cylinder 3,6 are provided ports 31, 38, which are controlled by a slide valve 39 operating in a fluid pressure chest 40, which is in communicationwith a source of fluid pressure 4|. The arrangement is such that the piston 35 is moved to the right cr to the left according to the position of the valve 39 with respect /to the ports 31, 38,. The respective ports of the cylinder 36 exhaust by way of the open ends of the valve chest 40, when the valve 39 has been moved to full open position in either direction.

For actuating the slide valve 39 and also for maintaining it in position to cause the torpedo to movevupon a predetermined'course, two mechanisms are employed, one operating automatically under control of a stabilizingdevice and the other operating at the will of an operator under distant control. the two mechanisms include an extension of the slide valve 39, and having'its outer end operatively connected to the free Vend of a rocking arm 5|, theV other end of which is securely fastened to a rock shaft 52 pivotally mounted in a xed bracket 53.

As more clearly illustrated in Figs. 9 andlO, for actuating the rock shaft 5I there is provided a, lever arm terminating in a ball 6|, which is straddled by the bifurcated end of a bell crank 62, movement of which causes the shaft 52 to rock'in a desired direction. The bell crank 62 is pivotally mounted on a bracket 63 which is secured to the outer face of a rotatable cover plate 64. The cover plate 64 is mounted ona housing 66 by means of a, pin 66 which is screwed into a bracket 61 of the housing 65. Pivoted to the lower arm of the bell crank 62 is a link 68, the opposite end of which is pivotally connected t'o an L shaped member 1I! rotatably mounted upon a vertical pin 1| of the cover plate 64. A similar member 12 is plvoted to the cover plate 13. For actuating member 12a link 14 ispro- The shafts I2 and I4 are The parts common to is provided with two fingers 18 and 19, which are located in two, planes, one above the other. The

lplate 15 is provided with a slot 80, which surrounds a cam 8|, rotatably mounted on the pin 66. The upper part of 'the cam 8| is provided with a beveled gear 82 adapted to mesh with a second beveled gear 83 secured to the end of the shaft 22 having a bearing in the'bracketv53. The shaft 22 is provided with a gear I9,which meshes with the gear I1 secured to the shaft I2.

Within the housing ispivotally mounted a vertical gimbal ring 90, within which a horizontal gimbal ringl 9| is mounted bearing rotating massive element 95. Secured to the vertical gimbal ring 99 is a circular plate 96 cut away on either side as at 91 and 98. The cut away portions are arranged in different horizontal planes such that the out away portion 91 lies in the same plane as the nge'r 18 and the`cut away portion 98 lies in the plane of the iinger 19. When the torpedo is discharged, the element 95 is set in rotation by means of a driving mechanism not shown, which is automatically disconnected as the element is brought up to the desired speed. The gyroscopic action of the element 95 will tend vto keep its axis vina xed direction in space. Thus the plate 96 will always remain in its original position regardless of a change in direction of the torpedo.

For-controlling the valve 39 by the above described apparatus the shaft. 22 is rotated at a high speed by means of the gears I1 and I9, causing the beveled gear 83 and cam 8| to rotate rapidly.A

Rotation of the cam 8| imparts a corresponding rapid reciprocdtion vto the plate 15, carrying with it the member 16. Thus, as the torpedo continues on a straight course, the fingers 18 and 19 will move in and out of the cut 'out portions 91 and 98 of the plate 96, without aecting the position of the member 16 or the finger 11, which will reciprocate between the ends of the members 10 and and 12 without changing their positions. If the torpedo should deviate from a straight course, say for example to the left, the casing 65 being carried by the torpedo will be rotated in a counter-clockwisedirection, thus carrying with it the member 16. As the lingers 18 and 19 are moved back and forth the finger 18 will strike the plate 96 at a part where it is not cut away, thus causing a relative rotation of the member 16, in a counterclockwise direction, which in turn will rotate the nger 11 in alike direction. As this reciprocates it will strike the end of the member 12 rotating it in a counter-clockwise direction, which by means of the-link 14 will rotate the member/10 in a like direction, thus causing the link 68 to be moved to the right, causing the bell crank 62 to be rotated in a counter-clockwise direction, thereby rotating the shaft 52 in a clockwise direction by the vconnection therewith of the ball 6| and arm 60.

By referring to Figs. 1 and 2 it may be readily seen that by Iconnection of the arm 5| to the shaft 52 rotation ofthe shaft 52 causes movement of the arm 5|, thus moving the valve 39 to the left. This. will uncover the-ports 31 and 38, thus allowing air to enter the left-hand side of the cylinder 36 and pass from the. right hand side. causing .ao-tasas?` the piston 35 to be 'moved to the right which, by means of the piston rod 34 and the rod 33 will cause the rudders 30 to be' moved to the right,l

thereby restoring the torpedo to its course.

If the torpedo-deviates to the right a similar action, but in the opposite direction, will take place, causing the rudders to be moved to the left.

,' In this way, the torpedo is maintained upon a which is journaled in a bearing |08.

The shaft |01 is also journaled in a bracket (Fig. 2) secured to the hull of the torpedo, the shaft |01 being provided with spaced ball thrust bearings |||-||2. The shaft |01 terminates in a releasable Aclutch mechanism, whereby when in the position shown in Fig. 2, rotation of the shaft |01 is dependent upon rotation of aV shaft |20 upon which one portion of the clutch mechanism is mounted.

The opposite end of the shaft |20 protrudes into a compartment |2| shown in Fig. 1 and has iixedly secured 4thereto a pair of ratchets |22, |24, see Figs. 2 and 3, arranged in reversed relation so that one may turn the shaft |20 in a clockwise direction and the other can turn the shaft in a counter-clockwise direction. The operating means for these ratchets consists of a gear |25 loosely mounted upon the shaft |20 between the ratchets, and having on opposite faces pivoted pawls |26|28 for engaging the ratchets |22| 24 respectively. Each of the pawls is yieldingly maintained in engagementwith its respective ratchet by a spring such as |29. In order to cause either pawl to be moved from engagement with its ratchetrso that the shaft |20 can be turned in one desired direction without interference from the other pawl and ratchet, the pawls are respectively provided with .laterally disposed lugs |30, |3|, with which are respectively arranged to engage trip members |32|33, which are secured to the-wall of the From the foregoing it will be .apparent that if the gear |25 is moved ln a clockwise direction through an angular distance of 180 that the pawl |26 Will engage its ratchet |22 and likewise turn the shaft 20 through an angular distance of 180. Similarly if the gear |25 is moved in a counterclockwise direction through 180 the pawl |28 engages its ratchet |24, and turns the shaft |20 one-half a revol tion'in a counter-clockwise direction. While turning in a clockwise direction, the lug |3| of the pawl |28 engages one Iface of the respective trip member |33, and thus during the turning movement of the gear |20, the pawl |28 is oscillated about its pivot in a clockwise direction, and thus 4will be held out of engagement with the ratchet |24, so that upon the return of the gear |25'to its normal position the pawl |28 will be held in inactive position with the respective ratchet and will not be engaged thereby.

Thus it will be seen that rotation of the gear |25 through an angular distance of 180 operates the shaft |20 in a similar manner, but that restoration of the gear does not restore the shaft.

For controlling movement of the loose gear 75 |25 thereis provided a reciprocating rack gear compartment l2 y Vagainst a second |40, having al lug |4| in engagement with a pair of restoring springs |42|43. The springs |42,

|43 are mounted on a rod |44 and are held by .brackets |48, |41 respectively secured to the compartment |2|. Springsl42, |43 havesubstantially.y equal tension, and serve to restore the rack |46 to normal position shown in Figs. 2 and 3. One end of the rack |40 is secured to a piston |50 snugly fitted for reciprocating movement within a cylinder |5|. The ends of the cylinder are respectively provided with ports |52, |53, the port |52 being controlled by an electrically operated slide valve |54, and the port |53 being controlled by a similar valve |55. The slide valves |54, |55 are arranged to be actuated by solenoids IE6-I 51 respectively, and each isprovided with a retractile spring, ,such as |58. Each'slide valve is arranged so that upon energization of the respective magnet, the valve port is connected to a branch pipe |60 leading to the'supply source` H6, and the piston |50 is movedv accordingly.

Upon release of the magnet the valve is restored by the action of the respective spring |58, and the valve port is connected to atmosphere through a vent |6|. The piston is restored to its initial position under control of spring |42, |43. The arrangement is such that actuation of piston |50 as just described moves the rack |40.suf ciently to rotate the gear through an angular distance of slightly more than 180, and thus moves the shaft |20 one-half a revolution. The consequent turning of the cover plate 64, and movement of the arm 5| and iod 50 operates the rudder arm 33 to turn the torpedo 5. Referring to Fig. 13, for controlling the magnets |56, |51 selectively so as to steer the torpedo in either 'direction about itsvertical axis at the will of a distant operator, the magnets are connected in circuit with a controller |10 and a source of energy such as a battery |1 I. The controller |10 comprises a commutator |12 having a cylindrical insulating base |13 mounted'on a shaft l |14. The shaft |14 is journalled in a pair of spaced brackets |15. A-ratehet wheel |16 isrigidly secured thereto, and is engaged by a spring pressed pawl |11 pivotally mounted ona reciprocating stem |18. The stem |18 is slidably mounted near one end in a fixed bracket |19. At its other end the stem |18 is secured to a magnetic'core |00 forming the armature of a solenoid |8|. A collar` |82 is pinned to the stem |18. and serves as an abutment for a compression spring |83 to restore the stem |18 and the armature |80 to normal. The collar |82 carries an insulating stud |84 which normally engages a contact spring |85 mounted on an insulating bracket.-

When engaged by the stud |84 in the normal positi'on of the collar |82 the 'spring |85 is held contact spring |86. When the collar |82 moves off normal, however, the stud releases the spring |85 which then disengages the spring |86 and opens the circuit. The arrangement is such that, upon energization of -the solenoid magnet |8|, the core |80 is moved to the right of Fig. 13, the pawli'll being drawn inactively over the next tooth ofthe ratchet |16. Upon de-energization ofthe solenoid, the armature moves to the left under control of the spring |83 and the pawl |11 moves the ratchet |16 in a counter-clockwise direction as seen in Fig. 14.

A conducting plate |81-having segments |08 contacting in alternate positions of the ratchet |16 with a contact spring |89, and similar segsulating base |93, and is connected to a contact spring |92. The springs |09, |9|, |92 are mounted on the insulating block |93.

` Conducting plate 520 having segments 52| contacting in alternate positions of the ratchet |16 with a contact spring 522 and similar segments 523 contacting in the' remaining positions with a contact spring 524, also mounted on the insulating base |93 and is connected to a contact spring'525. Springs 522, 524 and 525 are al mounted on insulating block 193.

The inner end of the Isolenoid core |80 lhas secured thereto anextension |94, formed of nonmagnetic material, and'having an end protruding outwardly of the solenoid to engage one end of a dash pot rod |95. 'Ihe 'rod |95 is slidably mounted in an end of a cylinder |90, and terminates therein in a'piston |91, which is snugly fitted within the cylinder. O ne end of the cylinder has an open vent |98. The other end has a trap valve |99 arranged to permit the emission of air therefrom freely, but to prevent the entry of air. An adjustable passage 200 having a needle valve 20| permits the entry of air through the passage 200 at a regulated rate. A spring-202 mounted on the rod |95 tends to maintain the rod in its left-hand position. It will thus be seen that the piston |91 moves freely to the right, but that its return is delayed by the restricted flow of air through the needle valve 20|. 'I'he outer end'of the rod |95 carries a brush holder 203, one end of which is formed into a latch member 204. A contact brush 205 is carried by the holder 203, and makes sliding contact with a commutator 206. The commutator includes an insulating segment 201, upon which the contact brush 205 normally rests when the rod |95 is in its Anormal or initial position; a conducting segment 208,'to which the brush 205 makes electrical contact when the rod |95 'moves off normal a limited extent; and an insulating segment' 209 over which the brush 205 sweeps when the rod |95 is moved to the right to a greater extent. l

A second similar solenoid 2|0 is connected in multiple with the winding of the solenoid |8|, and is mounted in spaced parallel relation thereto. .The 'second solenoid 2|0 includes an armature core 2H formed of paramagnetic material, the general assembly being substantially similar to the assembly in combination with the solenoid |8|. However, no trap valve is provided in the dash pot arrangement, so that movement of the core 2| is retarded in either direction. Mounted upon a collar such as 203 is a 'contact brush 2|2,

which makes sliding contact with a portion of the commutator 206. The arrangement is such that in its normal position the brush 2 |2 engages the conducting segment 208, and continues to engage this segment for most of its travel. Further movement of the rod carries the brush 2|2 into engagement with the insulating segment 209, after which, in the fully operated'position of the rod the brush 2|2 engages a conducting segment 2| 3 For latching the lsecond dash pot rod under control of the rod |95, the latch member 204 engages a spring-pressed latch 2 |4, slidably mounted in bracket 2|5, and having secured thereto one end of a lever system 2|6, the arrangement being such that after the solenoids |9I, 2|0 are energized for a. sufficient length of time to permit the dash pot rods to be moved to the right to the full extent of their travel, the brush 2|2 will be held locked against retraction by the engagement justment of the condenser.

' thereon by the vacuum tube. thus serves as a detector of received energy which In this position I sion of the spring. 'Ihe consequent movement of the latch member 2 I4 is communicated by the le-' ver system 2|6, thus releasing tlie second dash pot rod, and permitting it to return to normal under control of its spring. Thus it will be seen that after the dash pot rods have been fully operated the brush 2|2 is maintained on the insulating segment 209, while the brush 205 is passing over the conducting segment 208. Thus no impulse is transmitted over the conductor 2|1.

For receiving radiant energy to operate the solenoids 8|, 2|0 from a distant point, there is provided an insulated antenna 2I8 arranged to trail after theA torpedo, during its movement through the Water, the outer end being insulated to prevent grounding. 'I'he torpedo end of the antenna is connected to a flexible conductor 2|8A which normally engages a contact 2I9B which is connected to a tapped inductance 500, one terminal of which is grounded to the-hull I of the torpedo. 'I'he other terminal of the inductance is connected through a variable condenser 50| to' ground, thus forming an open oscillatory circuit, which may be readily tuned by adjustment of the condenser to the frequency of energy, which is to be received. The inductance is inductivelycoupled to a secondary winding 502, which is shunted by a variable condenser 508, and forms in combination therewith a secondary, closed oscillatory circuit, which may be similarly tuned to the frequency of the received energy byV ad- The secondary circuit is connected through a blocking condenser 504 to a three electrode thermionic device 505, preferably in the form of a so-called vacuum'tube having an evacuated container, a cathode, shown in the form of a heated filament, for emitting electrons, a grid for controlling the passage of electrons and a plate upon which the electrons impinge. The plate or output circuit includes an amplifier 506 for amplifying the energy impressed 'Ihe vacuum tube may' take the form of complex radiant energy of high frequency, having impressed thereon intermediate amplitude variations vmodulated in accordance with a signal. The modulated intermediate frequency thus appears in the output circuit of the rectifying tube and is amplied by the amplier. The intermediate frequency is impressed upon an inductance 501, having in shunt therewith a variable condenser 500, the inductance and condenser forming inA combination a closed oscillatory circuit which may be tuned to the intermediate frequency by adjustment of the variable condensers. Y 'I'he inductance is coupled to av tickler coil 509,` which is included in the plate circuit of a vacuum tubeoscillator 5|0, the input of,which is connected to the inductance. 'I'he vacuum tube thus serves as a generator of the intermediate frequency which is combined with the modulated intermediate frequency in a second detector 5|| to produce a low frequency current corresponding to the originalmodulating current. 'I'he output circuit of detector 51| includes an amplifier 5|2, the output of which is connected to the winding of a sensitive relay 2 I9, the contact of which controls a local circuit including a source of energy 220. and the winding ing connected in series therewith a source of energy, such as a battery 222, and the windings of the solenoids 18|, 210 in multiple. It will thus be seen that when energy of prehdetermined characteristic is impressed upon the antenna 218, it is amplified and detected and serves to operate .the relay 219; and that the consequent operation of the relay 219 causes the operation of the secondary relay 22|, which in turn causes the energization of the solenoids |81, 210 in multiple.

The circuit of the controller 110 includes a coni ductor 211 extending from the brush |92 to the 'contact spring |86. When the brush 205 engages the conducting segment 208 the circuit is extended to the brush 212, and a exible conductor 23| to onepole of the battery |11, the other pole of which is connected by a conductor 232 to one terminal of each ofthe windings 156, 151 (see rFig. 3). The other'terminal of the winding .156

f is connected by a conductor 233 to the brush |91 driving turbine.

of the controller |10. Similarly the other terminal ofthe winding of the other solenoid |51 is connected by conductor 234 to the brush |89 of the controller 110. A flexible conductor interconnects the contact spring |85 and the brush 205.

The segment` 213, which is engaged by the brush 212 when the rod is moved to its full extent of travel, is connected by a conductor 240 to contact spring 525. Spring 526 is connected by conductor 526 to one terminal of a winding of a solenoid 26| (see Fig. 13) the other terminal of which is connected by conductor 232 to one pole of the battery 111. The solenoid is provided with a spring controlled armature 261A which normally engages the flexible conductor 218A holding it in the position shown'v in Fig. 13. KSpring 522 is connected by conductor 521 to s olenoid 528 forming a part' of the retarding mechanism R, thence by conductor 529 to battery 11|. The retarding mechanism comprises a valve 530 through which the actuating fluid passes to the 53| and 532, the former being held against cam 533 by spring 535. y Cam 533 is rotated by clockwork mechanism, the speed of-which is controlled by pointer 535. Solenoid 528, when operated, releases latch536 which is then pressed inwardly by spring 531 and releases the clockwork, allowing cam S33-to rotate. The extent of movement of valve 530 is determined by cam 533 which cooperates with rod 532. At the end of a complete revolution cam 533 again forces rod 53| and valve 530 to the position shown in Fig. 13. Cam 538 is mounted on` rod 539 (Fig. 2)' which extends through the side of the hull 10 and may be manually set to the desired position.

Mounted upon the bracket |10, a shaft 300 is provided which projects through a portion of the bracket |10 and has securely mounted thereon a bevel gear 30|. The shaft 3001s mounted for rotation in bearings in the bracket 1 10 and has secured thereto a dog 302 which rotates with the shaft 300. A spring 303 (see Fig. 2) is mounted on the shaft 300 and hasits inner end secured to the shaft. Adjacent thereto is a`ratchet wheel 303, vwhich is loosely mounted on the shaft 300,

the outer end of the clock spring 303 being secured thereto. A spring-pressed pawl 305 is pivotallylmounted on the bracket |10, and engages Valve 530 is controlled by rods 5l mounted on the end of the shaft 300 so as to wind up the clock spring 303. v

The shaft |01 protrudes through the bracket 10 and has slidably but' not rotatably mounted thereon a grooved clutch element 301. A pair of 5 bevel gears 308 are loosely mounted on the shaft |01 in position to mesh with the bevel gear 30|. The portion of the shaft between the gears 308 is splined and there is slidably mounted thereon the clutch mechanism 301 so as to rotate therewith. 'I'he ends of the clutch member 301 are toothed to form ratchet membersv 309 and 3|0.

The contiguous faces of the bevel gears 308 are provided with complementary ratchet members 31| and 312 in spaced relation with the toothed l5 elements 309 and310, respectively. The grooved clutch element 301 is engaged by a pin 314 secured near one end of a T shaped lever 315 pivoted at 316 to the bracket |10. The arrange-l ment is such that rotation of the lever 315 about 20 its pivot 316 oscillates the clutch element 301 to engage with one or the'other of the bevel gears 308. The bracket |10 includes a lateral extension 318, the outer end of which is provided with a bearing 313 for supporting the shaft '120, which 25 protrudes into the compartment |21 of the torpedo. The portion of the shaft 120 between the bearing 319 and the main part of the bracket |10 is splined as indicated at 320, and there is s11dab1y mounted thereon a clutch element 32| 30 for engaging a clutch element 322, which is secured to the end of the shaft |01. By sliding the clutch element 321 longitudinally with respect to the shaft |20, the shaft |20 may be connected or disconnected from the shaft |01. 3 For controlling longitudinal movement of the clutch element 32| there is provided an arm 323 pivotally secured as at 324 to the bracket 10, and i having a pin 325 engaging a groove in the'clutch element 32 1. The freeA end of the arm 323 is bent 40 as at 325 andterminates as'at 321 in such manner as to engage the dog 302. The arm 323 is normally held in such position that the clutch elements 322 and 321 are in operative engagement by means of a spring-328,- oneend of which is secured to the arm and the other end of which is secured to the fixed bracket 10. Below the pin 325 the armv 323 is provided with a cam face. formed to include a pair of spaced projections 329, 330 with adepression 33| therebetween. A 50 rollerv 332 is mounted on one end of the T lever 315, which engages the cam surface of the arm 323 and which in the normal position of the T piston rod 353 as will subsequently be set forth.

Secured to the end of the rod 353 is a pin and slot connection 333 provided in the lower arm of the lever 315. ,60 For controlling the rotation ofthe shaft |01 there is provided intermediate the thrust bearings 11| and 112 of the shaft |01 a worm 335 for driving a worm wheel 336 in mesh therewith. Referring more particularly to Figs. 5 and 6, the worm wheel -336 is loosely mounted on a shaft 331 which is mounted for rotation in bearings in the bracket |10. A pair of collars 338 are securedto the shaft 331, and serve to prevent longitudinal movement thereof with respect to lthe bracket |I0. Rigidly pinned to the shaft 331 is a mernber 340 provided with a projecting dog 342. The proximate face of the worm wheel 336 is provided withj-a tongue element 343 for engagingthe dog 342. One end of the shaft 331 is also splined and is provided wtiha cone clutch element 344 slidf t a piston rod 353.

" [ably 'mounted on the shaft 331 and rrotatable therewith. yThe cone clutch element 344 engages a stationary clutch relement 345 forming in combination therewith a ywater-tight` bearing. rThe stationary yclutch element l345, is recessed yas at 346 and isy secured in xed position on the hull 0. k'lheoutboard end ofthe movabley clutch ele` ment 344 yis provided with a rpointer or indicator- 341 and terminates in a squared end as at 348 for engagement by a socket wrench orother adjusting tool. A compression spring 349 iis positioned on the shaft 331between one of the collars 333 and the clutch member 344 and serves to maintain f the movable clutchy member 344 in intimate contact with the stationary clutch member 345. The

rarrangement is such that thek pointer: 341 indicates on the outside of the torpedo the position of the dog 342. y f

yMounted on thefframe ||0 is a cylinder 35| in which reciprocates a piston 352; which is attached f y Thek endof this rod is provided with a pin 354 which slides in thegroove 333. Communicatingwith opposite ends of theL cylinderL are two pipes 355 and 356, they Lother ends of whichcommunicate with ports 351 and 353 in arotary valve casingr359. mounted infthis case is a rotary valve 36| (see Fig. 8). Thefrotarygvalve 'casing 359 is secured yto the inner face o1' the torpedo hull I0. 'Ihe casingr is provided with a recess as rat 362 accessible i'rom the exterior of the iltorpedo'. The rotary' Rotatably valve 36| is snugly yiitted within the base of the casing 359, a packing 363 being' provided tov forma water tight seal. yThe exterior end of the valve stem 36| is provided with a square socket 364 for the reception of an adjustingr tool. The rotary valve 36| is held tightly inits seat by afprojecf tive 3,65 which is a: part of cap 366, screw threaded upon the .inner yend oi.'the'casingr y369.y Thusv the rotary valve 36| may' be rotated by the means of an adjusting tool previous to the discharge of the torpedo and is held in a fixed position thereafter. The rotary valve is provided with two ports 361 and'363. The port 361 registers with provided with an annular groove 319 which at all controlledrmfliug'i 391, the end of which nortimes communicates with a port 33|. This port communicates with the supply pipe 332. The valvestem 315 is normally held in the position shown in Fig. 2 bymeans of a spring pressed varmature core 333, which is slidably mounted in a solenoid 384.

The antenna 2|3 passes through the cut on.' device 390 which is provided with a cutting tool 39| slidably mountedin brackets 392. Pinned to the tcol 39| is a collar 393' between which and one of the brackets 392 is a coil spring 394. A cutting block 395 is secured to the hull of the torpedo I0 on the opposite side'of the-antenna from the tool 39| Secured to the casing 390 is a solenoid 396 which is provided with a'spring mally engages the collar 393:YV Y

Located adjacent to the flexible conductor 2118A acoil 403 (Fig. 16)". rThe other side of the iwindk402 which extends to one side of the winding'of ing of this coil isr connected ythrough the secondt ary of a transformer1404 to a ground connection One sideof thewinding-403 is also connected to an oppositely wound coil 406l which isy yconnected to a balancing network vwhich hasy been shown as comprising an' inductance 401, resistance 408 tuned circuits 4 06 and 4|3, resistance 4H and an inductance 4| 2.A

- One side'oi.' the primary of the transformer 404 I isfconnected to the grid of an oscillator; tube 4|5, theother side of this winding being connected 'f through a coil 4|6 ytoone sideofthe filament 4|1 ofthe tube 4|5. r The current forthis lamentis supplied` by a battery 413, one side `of which is 'f ductance 42|' is tunedfbyy a condenser'422. This fed into the transformer 404.

Locatedadjacent to the coil 403y is a coil 423, one side ofwhich is conducted to the grid ofar vacuum tube 425. The other side of the coil 423 is connected to one rside ofy the iilament of the tube 425`and also to one side of a battery 421, the other side of which is'connectedto the winding circuit rserves for producing oscillations which are of a sensitive relay 428. i 'I'he other 'side of the winding of the relayis connec-ted to the plate'of the tubeA 425. A condenser 4291s connected 'across kthe relay 428.,` f, v f This system is so designed and` constructed that when the antenna 2|3 is trailing behind the torpedo in the watery the currents iiowingy throughy the coils 403 and 406 will `be balanced against each otherkthus producing no current in 'thelcoil' 423. If,howeverthe antenna. 2 I3 should come in f proximity with a mass of magnetic.material'such as a'ship this balancewill be disturbed thereby allowing more current to pass 'through the coil 403 than the coil 406. This will cause current of the frequency produced by the oscillator 4|5 to iiow in the coil 423 which will be received by thevacuum 'tube 425 which in turn will cause current to flow through the relay 428.

The armature of the relay 423 controls the iiow of current from a battery 432 through a secondary Vrelay 433. The armature of this relay is connected to one side of a battery 434, the other side of which is connected -by a conductor 435 to one lside f the winding of the solenoid 384. The other side of thewinding of this solenoid is connected by a conductor 436 to the front contact of the relay 433. The conductors 435 and 436 are respectively connected by conductors 431 and 433 to the winding of the solenoid 396.

In the moditled form of the invention lshown in Fig. 17, the conductor 402 is connected to one -side of a Wheatstone bridge, three sides of whichy are made up of the inductances 45| 452, and 453 and the capacities 454, 455, and 456. Across theV bridge Y,is connected the secondary of a transformer 451, the primary of which is supplied' with high frequency current from a vacuum tube oscillator 453, which is similar in construction to the oscillator 4|5. Connected to one side of the bridge is a' condenser 459, the other side of which is grounded at.46.|. Across the other terminals of the bridge is an inductance 462, adjacent to which is located the coil 423 which controls theY operation of the secondary relay 433 Ain a manner similar to that shown in Fig. 16.

. Before the torpedo is discharged thespringv303 75 connected to one side rof a plate battery '4|9, the yother side offwhich is connected through an inductance 42| to the plate of the tube 4|5. Iny20 y is wound by means of a key 306, precaution being taken that the clutch element 301 is centrally ter-clockwise direction so asto engage the dog 302 and prevent the gear 30| from turning.

Before the torpedo is discharged, the ofilcers in the plotting room determine the angle at which the torpedo will be required to turn after the antenna has been engaged by an'enemy battleship as shown by the angle in Fig. 19. Accordingly, a socket wrench is fitted to the squared end 348 of the movable clutch element 344 which is' thereupon turned through the complement of the angle 6. In turning the clutch element 344, itis necessary to press the socket wrench inwardly against the tension of the spring 349. thereby releasing the movable clutch member 344 from the stationary member 345. The pointer 341 accurately indicates the extent of movement. When the pointer 361 indicates the angle 18 minus 0, the wrench is removed, thereby restoring the clutch element 3M under control of the spring 349 into intimate contact with the stationary clutch element 346 and locking it in the adjusted position and simultaneously making the joint watertight so that no water can enter thetorpedo after it has .been fired. It willbe seen that this adjustment also positions the dog 342 in the same angular position as the pointer 341 and that, therefore, the angle comprehended by the dog and the tongue 343 will be the required angle 0. The order transmitted from the plotting room to the torpedo room includes in addition to information as to the extent of the angle 0 instructions as to whether the turning movement should be made in a clockwise or a counter-clockwise direction. If the line of enemy battleships is moving to the right, the adjustment should be made in a clockwise .direction while if the enemy is moving to the left the adjustment should be made in a counter-clockwise direction.

Before the torpedo is iired a socket wrench is inserted into the opening 364 and the rotary valve is turned either to the kposition shown in Figure 2 or to a position in right angles thereto (as shown in Fig. 18) depending upon whether the enemy is moving to the right or left as seen from the firing ship.

Pointer 536 is also setto regulate the speed `oi? the clockwork mechanism for causing the retard valve 530 to be operated over the desired period of time. Cam 538 is set to control the extent of movement of the valve and thereby govern the amount by which thegspeed of the torpedoV is retarded.

Just before being discharged, the usual iiring pin' (not shown) is released so as to permit explosion of the charge when the torpedo strikes the target. The various electrical circuits shown diagrammatically in the drawings are also closed .position of by means of a conventional switch connected in series therewith but omitted from the drawings for the sake of simplicity, and the source of supply of iiuid medium` i6 is turned on. The torpedo is thereupon discharged from its tube and.

the driving means I actuated to rotate the shafts. i 2, Iii and the propellers il, ii.

When the torpedo starts upon its course, it is automatically maintained thereon by means of the gyroscopie action of the massive element 95 which is held fixed in space, independently of movements of the torpedo. Thus any change in the torpedo with respecttoits vertical axis causes a relative movement of the -cylinder chamber.

loriginal direction vof movement.

' now being connected to the brush |9| as are of the battery |1l.

is communicated through to-vthe arm 5|, which moves the valve rod 50 either to the right or to the left. Assuming that the valve rod 50 is 5- moved to the right of Fig. 2, the source of fluid medium I6 connected to the pipe 4|, delivers fluid medium to the right-hand portion of the Atthe same time,'a lef t-hand port 31 is open. The piston 35 Ais accordingly moved towards the left This motion is communicated by the rod 33 to the vertical rudders 30 and the torpedo is steered towards port until the inttial position of the housing 66 with respect to the gyroscope stabilizing element 95 is reached. The valveA rod 50 is then returned to normal and the piston 36 restored to its initial, central position, with the torpedo moving in its If itis desiredto change the course-.of the torpedo, from a distant point, an impulse of radiant energy is sent from a distant station. The radiant energy excites the antenna 2|6, which trails behind the torpedo. 'I'he signals are thus transmitted to a receiving circuit as illustrated in Fig. 13, in which they are detected and amplified. The amplified signal energy actuates the relay 2|9, which in turn closes the circuit including the battery 220, armature and front contact of the relay 2|9 and winding of the secondary relay 22|, thus causing the actuation of the relay r2L A circuit is then closed from one pole of the battery 222 armature and front contact of the secondary relay 22|, and the windings 'of the solenoids |8| and 2|@ in multiple to thc'35 opposite pole oi the battery 222, thus energiz'ng the soienoids |8| and 2|0. The -lmpulse employcd for steering the torpedo is relatively short, and does not permit the full actuation of the clash pot piston associated with the solenoid 2|0. 40 lThe brush 2|2 is, therefore, maintained in electrical contact with the segment 208. The impulseis suiciently long, however, to permit the' full movement .towards the right of the armaturecore |80 .of the solenoid 18|, and the piston 45 |91 and the dash pot |06, and thus the pawl |11. engages the next tooth of the ratchet |16. Upon the cessation of the impulse the relays 2|9 and 22|I and the solenoids |8i, 2|0 are cle-energized and the armature core turned to normal under control of the spring |83,`the armature core 2|| being'returned under control of its spring. The returnvmov-ement of the core causes the ratchet |16 to rbe moved termined by the adjustment of the needle valve 200. rAfter this interval the brush-passes on to the conducting segment 208. A circuit is closed, from one pole of the battery |1I, conductor 23|. 65 brush 2|2, conducting segment 208, brush 206, conductor 233, contact springs |05, |86, conductor 2u, brush |92, conducting segment 181 of the commutator |10, the upper segment 0 suit of the movement of the shaft |14 one step, conductor 233,-winding o! the solenoid |56, common return conductor 232 to the opposite pole This circuit remains closed only until the dash pot piston v|91 returns to 7 5 |80 is. accordingly, re- 50 l,wardly as seen in Figs. 2 and.

normal, when the brush 205 moves on of the conducting segment 208 and on' to the insulating segment 201. The energization of the solenoid |56 actuates the valve'stem |54 to connect the fluid source I6, by way of the branch pipe |60 to the upper portion. of the cylinder it being noted that the lower portion of the cylinder is at this time open -to the atmosphere by way of a port |53. The piston |50 is forced downwardly, thus moving the rack |40 and rotating the gear |25. The adjustment of the needle valve 200 is' such that the solenoid |'51 remains energized sufiiciently long to cause the operation of the rack |40 to itsfull extent, thus rotating the gear |25 through one-half a revolution. It will be noted that the duration of the electrical impulse transmitted to the solenoid |56 is independent of the duration of the ltransmitted signal im. pulse, and thus complete operation of the rack |40 is assured independently of the operation of the sending station. In the present example, the gear |25 is moved initially in a clockwise direction as seen in Fig. 3, and this motion is communicated by means of the pawl |26 engaging the ratchet |22 to the shafts |20 and |01 Athus turning the shaft |01 in a clockwise direction through an angular distance of 180?. Upon the de-energization of the solenoid |56, the rack |40 returns to normal under control of the spring |43, but the pawl |28 is at this time held outy of engagement of' the ratchet |24 (see Figs. 2 and 3) because the lug |8| in this direction of, movement strikes the trip |83 to prevent operation of the ratchet |24.

As a result of the single operation of the solenoid |56, the shaft |01 is turned, through an angular distance of 180 in one direction. This movement is communicated through the bevel gears |06, |05 and thus to the shaft |02 for actuating the wormv |0| and thus moving the cover 64 through a predetermined number of degrees in a clockwise direction, as seen in Figs. 9 and 11.v The cover 64 in its. movement carriesthe mexnber 16 with it so that it is shift'ed'relatively. to the plate 96in a clockwise direction. n 'I'he operation is then the same as previously described for the automatic control, namely, the valve rod 50 is shifted to admit iluid under pressure to the right hand end of theI cylinder 36, thus causingl the piston 35 to move and shift the rudder 30- in a clockwise direction so thatthe torpedo is directed toward the left until it has moved through the same'number of degrees that the cover 64 has been moved. When it has reached this position, the member 18 has come into a neutral position with respect to the plate 86 and the torpedo will then proceed upon the new course as required. v

If it had been desired to direct vthe torpedo to the right instead of to the left, the general sequence in operation is the same excepting that two short impulses would `have been transmitted from the sending station 'insteadof lthe one impulse as already described. In this instance, the

--controller is stepped around two steps,'thus connecting in the circuit the conducting segment |88 instead of the conducting segment |90. lIn this case the .solenoid |51 is operated insteadv of the solenoid |56 and the rack |40 is moved up- This rotates the gear wheel l|25 through one-half a revolution in an opposite direction, that is, in .a counter-Y clockwise direction as seen in Fig. 3 and this motion is communicated by means of the pawl |28 v engaging the ratchet |24 to the shaft |20, thusturning the shaft in a counter-clockwise direction through an angular distance of 180. It will be seen that althoughtwo impulses are transmitted to the solenoid |8| and that the armature core `|80 is reciprocated twice thereby, the dash pot piston |91 is merely moved to the right at the commencement of the first impulse and is delayed in its retraction after the cessation of the rst impulse by the closure of the trap valve |99 and the restricted passage for air through the needle valve port 200. After the termination of the first impulse the dash pot piston |91 and the brush 205 start to move gradually to the left under the action of the spring 202 and retarded by the restricton of the valve 200. As long as the brush 205 remains on the insulation 209 the circuits from the batteries |1| will remain open. Before the brush 205 has reached the segment 208`the second impulse is sent which as already described returns the brush 205 and piston |91 to the extreme right-hand position. 'At the termination 'of this impulse the brush 205 starts to move gradually to the left again until it engages segment 208, at which time the local circuit is closed from the battery |1|, conductor 23|, brush 2|2, conducting segment 208, brush 205, contact springs |85, |86, conductor 2|1, brush |92, conducting segments |81, |88 of the controller |10, brush |89, conductor 234, winding ofthe solenoid |51, common return conductor 232, to the opposite pole of the battery |1|. It will thus be seen that only a single impulse is transmitted to the solenoid |51. Upon the de-energization of the solenoid |51, the rack |40 returns to normal from the control of the 'springs |42, but the pawl |26 is at'this time held out of engagement of the ratchet'l22, because the lug in this direction of movement strikes the trip |32v to .prevent the operation of the ratchet |22. y

As a result of the single operation of the solenoid |51, the shaft |01 is turned through an angular distance of 180, and this movement being communicated through the gear train moves thev cover 64 in a counter-clockwise direction, as seen in Figs. 9 and 11, thus actuating the rudder 30 in a counter-'clockwise direction so that vthe v torpedo is directed towardsthe right. It will be apparent thatA by suitably selecting the gears through `which this motion is transmitted the course of the torpedo can be shifted to port or to starboard any predetermined number of degrees as a result of the transmission of a radiant energy signal. It has been found desirable, however, to

V.provide gear mechanisms such'that the course of the torpedo is shifted through an angular distance of five degrees in response to each impulse.

The'course of the torpedo may subsequently be changed as many times as may be desired by the transmission of one short impulse or two short into the required position. For instance, after the course of the torpedo has been shifted to the 'impulses in order to position the controller |10 necessary to transmit two additional short impulses. course is desired to be made to the left a single additional impulse is transmitted.

After the salvo of torpedoes .has advanced the required distance in a.parallel formation as shown in Fig. 20, it may be desirable to retard the speed of the various torpedoes in order to bring them Ii' however, the next deviation of the 1 into the biased position shown in Fig. 21. For

this purpose commutator is stepped around 60 degrees from the position shown in Fig. 13`

by a suitable long impulse thereby electrically connecting brushes 525 and 522 and energizing the relays 2| 9, 22| thus closing the circuits of the solenoids |8l, 2|0. The armature core |80 is moved to the right as seen in Fig. 13, thus disengaging the spring |85 from the spring |86. The A dash pot rod |95 is moved towards the right at a high speed and the companion dash pot rod is moved to the right at a relatively slower speed, being retarded in its movement by the ow of air through the regulated needle valve. The impulsev is sufficiently long to permit both the clash pot rods to be moved to the full extent of their vtravel and thus the brush 205 engages the insulating segment 209, while the brush 2I2 is moved suflciently to engage the conducting segment 2 I3.

A circuit is thus closed from one pole of battery I1I through conductor 23|, brush 2|2, segment 206, conductor 240, brush 525, segment 520, brush 522, conductor 521, solenoid 528, and conductor v529, back to battery I1|. This energizes solenoid 528, releases latch 536 and allows cam 533 to begin to rotate. Asv soon as cam 533 releases rod 53|, the valve becomes partly closed due to the action of spring 534. The extent of closing is determined by the position of cam 538. The pressure of the actuating fluid is thereby decreased and the driving turbine correspondingly retarded. The torpedo will then travel at a slower speed until cam 533 has made a complete revolution again cooperating with rod 53 I, thereby opening valve 530. The speed of rotation of cam 633 determines the period over which the speed of the torpedo will be retarded and the position of cam .538 governs the amount of retardation. The

` torpedoes will thereafter proceed at their initial speed ltoward the enemy.

into the proximity of the eet of battle ships being attacked.`v

A second long impulse may then be sent bringing the commutator into the position shown in Fig. 13. l

A circuit is now closed from one pole of the battery I1I, conductor 23|, brush 2I2, conducting segment 2I3, conductor 240, brush 525, segment 520, brush 524, conductor 526, winding of'the solenoid 24|, conductor 242, to the opposite pole of the battery III, thus energizing the solenoid 24|. The armature core of the solenoid is actuated, thus unlatching the flexible conductor 2|8A which then springs away from the contact 2I8B and engages the contact 40|. This causes the antenna 2I8 to be disconnected from the radio receiving set and connected to the magnetic balance through the conductor 402. 4

The torpedo now continues on the course which it was on at the time the long impulse was sent and is no longer under radio control but is maintained upon this course by means of the gyroscope as in a manner already described. The magnetic'balance, as shown in Fig. 16, as already stated is so designed that there is normally no current flowing through the coil 423 and therefore the sensitive relay 428 is normally de-energized as shown. If, however, the torpedo should pass some distance in front of the enemys ship and the latter should touch or come very close to the antenna, as shown in Fig. 19, the magnetic 5 balance will be disturbed as, already described, thus causing the sensitive relay 428vto be energized which in return energizes the secondary relay 433. This closes the circuit from the battery 434 through the conductorl 435, solenoid 384, conductor 436, armature ofthe relay 433, back to the battery 434and also closes the circuit from the battery 434 through conductor 431so1- enoid 396, conductor 438, armature of the relay 433, back to the vbattery 434.` As soon as the solenoid 396 is energized its core 391 will be drawn tothe right, thus' releasing the cutting tool 39| which under the action of the spring 394 is driven through the antenna 2 I8, thus severing the same and allowing the posterior portion to 20 be swept away, thus not interfering with the subsequent movements of the torpedo.

'I'he energization of the solenoid 384 causes its armature core to be drawn to the right thus releasing the valve 315 which under the action of a spring 318 is moved downwardly allowing compressed air to pass from the s upplypipe 382 to the pipe 312, thence through the port 361 to the pipe 355 and into the right hand end of the cylinder This causes the piston 352 to be 30 moved to the left which rotates the T arm 3|5 in a clockwise direction about the pivot 3I6.

The roller 332 ofthe arm 3|5 engages the cam face of the projection 329 and oscillates the arm 323 in a clockwise direction about its pivot 324, 35 thus carrying the pin -325 andthe slidable clutch element 32| towards the right. The clutch element 32| is thus /moved out of engagement with the clutch element 322 and the operative connection between the shaft |20 and the shaft |01 is 40 thereby broken. This action disconnects the radio control mechanism from the steering mech` anism. At the same time the end 321 of the arm` 323 is removed from engagementwith the dog 302 and the shaft 300 is released for rotation unoperative vconnection including the bevel gears, 55. ,the ratchets, and the clutch element which is splined on the shaft |01. The shaft |01 is thus rotated, and its movement is communicated through the gear train to move the cover 64.

The operation is then the same as previously de- 00 scribed for the'automatic control and for the radio control, namely, the valve rod is shifted toadmit iiuid under pressure to the right-hand end' of the cylinder 35 thus causing the piston 35 to move and shift the rudder 30 in a clockwise 05 directionY so thaty the torpedo is directed towards the left. It will thus be seen that the torpedo moves in a circular course towards port (see Fig. 19). 'I'his operation continues until the tongue 343 of the wheel 336 engages the dog 342, which, as already described, has` been turned through the angle -0. When thisoccurs the rotation of the gear 336 is stopped which also prevents a further rotation of the shaft |01. The top plate 64 of the gyroscopic mechanism is therefore 75 If the enemy is moving to the .right as observed from the ship from which the torpedo is discharged, the valve stem 36| is turned in av clockwise direction to the position shown in Fig. 18. Assuming now that the enemy ship comes in contact with the antenna 2|6, `the solenoid 384 is energized in the manner hereinbefore described and admits iluid under pressure to the pipe 312. As the valve stem 36| has been turned in a clockwise direction, the iiuid under pressure, will now pass through the port 361, pipe 356 to the left hand side of the cylinder 35|, .the piston 352 of 'which is moved to the right as shown in Fig. 2 and the T arm 3| 5 is moved in a counter-clockwise direction about its pivot 3|6. The

roller 33| engages the cam face of the projection 330 and moves the lever 323 as before to disengage the radio control apparatus and to release the dog 302. The bevel gear 30| is thus rotated under control of the clock spring 303.

At the same time the pin 3|4 of the T arm 3|5 is moved towards the left, thus moving the clutch member to the left and causing the ratchet members 3|0 and 3|2 to be engaged, thus coupling the bevel gear 30| tofthe shaft |01. As the shaft 300 is moved in the samedirection as before, under control of the clock spring 303, but the bevel gear 30| is now coupled to a shaft |01 by means of the left-hand'gear 308, the shaft |01 is moved in the opposite direction from that previously described and thusthe gyro mechanism for controlling the rudder is moved to turn the course of the torpedo to starboard instead of to port. 'Ihis action continues until the tongue 343 strikes the dog 340, which occurs after the torpedo has turned through the angle 0, after which the course of the torpedo is righted' and it assumes a straight course. In this case, however,

the torpedo has been turned in the opposite di` rection to that in lwhich it was turned for the enemy moving to the left. The torpedo will, therefore, turn to the right through the angle o and then proceed upon a straight course until it strikes the enemy ship in a manner similar to that described in connection with Fig. 19.

In Fig. 20 is shown a fleet of Ienemy ships 410 I and a ilock of torpedoes 41| which have been fired in salvo from an attacking destroyer squadron not shown. Should the enemy continue on their original course they would either be struck directly by these torpedoes or else engage the antenna of a torpedo which had already passed in front of the ship thus causing it to circle around as just described so as to strike the ship on the opposite side from the attacking destroyer squadron. If, however, the enemy should discern the torpedoes coming they could head towardthem in a well-known maneuver in vwhich event some of the ships in the rear of the line would pass behind the torpedo screen and thus not be endangered by the attack.

'Ihis action may be prevented, however, by successively retarding the speed of the various torpedoes to cause them to take a position en echelon, as shown in Fig. 21. In this case were 'the enemy to head towards the torpedoes as is the usual practice, it is obvious that the torpedoes on the right would still endanger the enemy ships unless they made almost a right angle turn towards the attacking ileet which would entirely.

break up the formationof a line and subject the enemy to a very serious disadvantage in gun lire idly out toward the. battle line'while being steered by remote control and, Vwhile in proximity to the battle line, may be changed into the formation shown in Fig. 21, after which they again rapidly approach the enemy. The magnetic balance may then be connected whereby, in the case of a miss, the antenna can be acted upon by the hull of the ship, as shown in Fig. 19, bringing the redirecting mechanism into operation.

While certain novel features of the invention have been shown and described and are pointed out in the annexed claims, it will be understood that various omissions, substitutions and changes in the forms and details of the device illustrated and in its operation may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. In a self propelled body, a speed changing mechanism', means for setting said mechanism for effecting a predetermined change in speed over a predetermined period of time, means associated with said mechanism for restoring the ini- 5 tial speed at the expiration of said period of time.'

and means operable by remote control for ini'- tiating the operation of said mechanism.

2. In a torpedo, a speed changing mechanism, means for setting said mechanism for eifecting a predetermined reduction in speed over a predetermined period of time, means associated with said mechanism for restoring the initial speed at* the expiration of said period of time, and means operable in response to radiant energy waves for initiating the operation of said mechanism.

3. In a self propelled body, means for normally maintaining said body on a predetermined course and at a predetermined speed, means responsive to radiant energy for varying said course, means for temporarily changing said speed over a predetermined period of time, and means responsive to radiant energy for operating said speed changing means. y

4. In a wireless controlled torpedo, a source of.' motive power, means for controlling said power whereby said torpedo may be operated at a predetermined speed over a predetermined course, means responsive to radiant energy waves for varying said course, and means responsive to radiant energy waves for temporarily changing the speed of said torpedo by a predetermined amount, means operable underl the influence of a metallic hull for redirecting said torpedo, and means responsive to radiant energy waves for rendering said last means operative.

5. In a torpedo having a trailing antenna adapted to receive radiant energy waves, a trans,- lating device normally connected to said antenna and adapted to operate a steering mechanism, a.

speed changing device, means whereby said steering mechanism and said speed changing device may be selectively operated by said translating device, a redirecting mechanism responsive to the `influence of the metallic hull for redirectingl said ating said steering means in opposite directions, a speed changing mechanism and a redirecting mechanism, and means responsive to a long impulse of radiant energy for selectively-rendering operative said speed -changing mechanism and said redirecting mechanism.

7. A method of forming a salvo of torpedoes into a battle line, which comprises operating said torpedoes at a given initial speed until they reach the proximity of a target, changing the speed oi certain of said torpedoes until they assume' the desired formation, and thereafter causing said torpedoes to travel at their initial speed.

8. In a torpedo having driving means and steering means, means responsive to short impulses of radiant energy for controlling said steering means whereby the course of said torpedo is varied in onedirection, means responsive to two rapid short impulses of radiant energy for steering said torpedo in the opposite direction, a speed changing mechanism, and means responsive to a long impulse of radiant energy for operat- -ing said speed changing mechanism.

9. In a torpedo having driving means and steering means, means responsive to a short impulse of radiant energy for controlling said steering means whereby the course of said torpedo is varied in one direction, means responsive to two rapid short impulses of radiant energy for steering said torpedo in the opposite direction, a speed changing mechanism, means responsive to a long impulse of radiant energy for operating said speed changing mechanism, said speed changingmechanism being adapted to vary the speed of said torpedo by a predetermined amount for a'given period of time and to then restore said speed to its initial value.

10. In a torpedo having driving means and steering means, a selector, means responsive to short impulses of radiant energy for controlling the position of said selector, and means for alternately operating said ksteering means in opposite directions in successive positions of said'selector, a speed changing mechanism and a redirecting mechanism, means responsive to a long impulse of radiant energy'dependent upon the position of said selector for operating said speed changing mechanism or said redirecting mechanism.

11. In a torpedo having driving means and steering means, an automatic steering device for normally-maintaining said torpedo upon a predetermined course, a selector, means responsive to short impulses of radiant energy for determining the position of said selector, means responsive to short impulses of radiant energy for varying the position of said automatic steering means whereby said torpedo is steered to the right or left according to the position of said selector, a speed changing mechanism, means for setting said mechanism for changing the speed of said torpedo by a predetermined amount a'nd for controlling the period of such change, means operable by said mechanism for restoring the initial speed at the expiration of said period, means operable in response to long impulses of radiant energy when said selector is in certain positions for causing said speed changing mechanism to operate, a redirecting mechanism comprising means responsive to the proximity of a metallic mass for Y'redirecting said torpedo, andA means responsive to a long impulse of radiant energy when said selector is in alternate positions for rendering said redirecting mechanism operative.

12. In a torpedo, a source of compressed air, a compressed air motor for propelling said torpedo,

a valve for controlling the ow of air to said motor, a cam normally holding said valve in a given position, mechanism for rotating said cam whereby the position of said valve is altered, a second cam, and means for setting said second cam to 5 control the extent vof movement of' said valve.

13. In a torpedo having a fluid controlled motor,'a valve for controlling the flow of said fluid, a cam for holding said valve in a given position, means for causing a single rotation of said cam whereby the position of said valve is temporarily altered, means for controlling the extent of movement of said valve, and means responsive to remote control for initiating the operation of said rotatable cam.

14. In a torpedo, a controller, means responsive to a short impulse of radiant energy for movingA said controller in one position and for changing the course of said torpedo in a given direction, means responsive to a pairof rapid short impulses of radiant energy for moving said controller two positions and for varying the courseof said torpedo in the opposite direction, redirecting mechanism and a speed changing mechanism responsive to a long impulse of radiant energy, and means dependent upon the position of said controller for selectively operating said speed changing mechanism and said redirecting mechanism in response to a given long impulse.

15. In a torpedo, an electrical controller movable in steps in response to successive short impulses of radiant energy, a pair of translating devices responsive to short impulses of radiant energy and selectively operable in alternate positions of said controller, and a second pair of translating devices responsive to long impulses of radiant energy selectively operable in alternate positions of said controller.

16. In a torpedo, a trailing antenna, means associated with said antenna for receiving radiant energy waves, a relay operated by said receiving means, an electrical controller, step by step mechanism for operating said controller in response to short impulses and operable to selectively vary the course of said torpedo in opposite directions at alternate positions of said controller, and speed changing mechanism, responsive to long. impulses .and operable in alternate positions of said controller, a redirecting mechanism, and means operable in alternate positions of said controller for permanently disconnecting said trailing antenna from said receiving, means and connecting said an-l tenna to said redirecting mechanism.

17. In a torpedo, a trailing antenna, means associated with said antenna for receiving radiant' 55 energy waves, a relay operated byisaid receivin! means, an electrical controller, step by step mechanism for operating said controller in response to short impulses and operable to selectively vary the course of said torpedo in opposite directionsat alternate positions of said controller, speed changing mechanism responsive to long impulses and operable in certain positions of said controller, redirecting mechanism comprising an electromagnetic balance operable in other positions of said controller in response to a long impulse, and means whereby the iniiuence of a metallic hull destroys said balance and causes said mechanism to operate to alter the course of said torpedo in a predetermined manner.

18. In a vehicle, a vehicle body, a driving device on said body for driving said vehicle at an initial speed, means for changing said initial speed to a modied speed, an interval-measuring device on said body, means controlled by said intervalu \-speed back to said initial speed, and means for causing said time-measuring device to operate but for a single time interval, whereby to manuvre said torpedo.

20. In a torpedo, a. torpedo body, a driving device'for propelling said torpedo at an initial speed, means for changing said speed to a reduced speed, an interval-measuring device on said body, means controlled by said intervalmeasuring device for changing said speed back to the initial speed, means for causing said interval-,meas'uring device to measure but a single interval, and means for adjusting the length of said interval for the desired manoeuvre.

21. The method of manoeuvrlng a salvo oi 'torpedoes into a battle line which comprises discharging the salvoof torpedoes and causing them rapidly to 'approach the battle line on a given course in parallel formation, changing to an echelon formation in the same course, and thereafter causing said torpedoes to travel in echelon formation.

22. The method of manoeuvring a salvo of torpedoes intoa battle line which comprises discharging the salvo of torpedoes and causing them rapidly to approach the battle line on a given course in parallel formation, changing the speed of the torpedoes to effect an echelon formation in the same course and causing said torpedoes undercontrol of mechanism located exclusively on the torpedoesthemselves to resume the initial rapid speed while in said echelon formation.

23. The method of manoeuvring a salvo of torpedoes into a battle line which comprises discharging the salvo of torpedoes in a given formation and causing them rapidly to approach the battle line while in said formation, changing the speed of some torpedoes to change the formation and then controlling said torpedoes by mechanism located exclusively within said torpedoes themselves to cause said torpedoes to travel at the initial rapid speed in the new formation.l v

24. The methodv of manoeuvring a salvo of torpedoes which comprises firing the torpedoes in straight line formation along a straight course, and causing the torpedoes to approach the battle line in echelon formation along said straight course.

25. The method of Amanoeuvring a salvo of torpedoes into a battle line which comprises discharging the salvo of torpedoes substantially together in aV given formation along a straight course and then causing the torpedoes to take a predetermined diii'erent formation along said straight course.

26. In a vehicle, a vehicle body, a. driving device. for propelling said vehicle at an initial speed, means for changing said speed to a reduced speed, means located exclusively on the vehicle body for changing from said reduced speed back to the initial speed, and means for adjusting the length during which said vehicle travels at reduced speed according to the desired manoeuvre.

27. In a torpedo, a torpedo body, a driving device on said body, governing devices on said body for causing said driving device to propel said torpedo at an initial speed, means to adjust said governing device to cause said driving device to propel said torpedo at a predetermined reduced speed and thereafter back at said initial speed, and means for adjusting the interval during which said torpedo travels at said reduced speed. 28. In a vehicle, a vehicle body, a driving device, governing devices for causing said driving device to propel saidvehicle at an initial speed, means to adjust said governing device to cause said driving device to propel said vehicle at a reduced spee'd and thereafter back at said initial speed, and means on said body for adjusting the time at which said vehicle travels at reduced speed, the distance through which said body travels at reduced speed and the value of said reduced speed.

JOHN HAYS HAMMOND, JR. 

